tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35928800279494038202018-03-05T18:24:37.766-08:00All Minnesota Sports From FargoFargo Moorhead Hot Talk with Cyrus Bahr The lead columnist. Mike McFeely has been The Forum’s lead sports columnist for years and yes hes always wrong. Minnesota sports and Chat weekly updates. Scott Hennen North Dakota, Cass County. fargo stuff, fargostuffFind Fargo Real Estate or FM Realtorshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11414941094297964231noreply@blogger.comBlogger11125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3592880027949403820.post-31586259442132894522009-10-28T01:24:00.000-07:002009-10-28T01:25:33.474-07:00But Favre is different. He still plays the game with all the energy of a sand lot player.<h3 class="post-title entry-title"> </h3> <div class="post-body entry-content"> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Md07lhaXdZc/Suf9B5x2HVI/AAAAAAAAF2k/WFDP9lXtRHM/s1600-h/brett-favre-first-viking-loss.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 380px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Md07lhaXdZc/Suf9B5x2HVI/AAAAAAAAF2k/WFDP9lXtRHM/s400/brett-favre-first-viking-loss.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5397560887558413650" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">by: Bronko Wilkersen</span><br /><br />This past Sunday, the Minnesota vikings lost their first game of the season. Given that their previous opponents were of questionable quality, this may be cause for some alarm among the Viking faithful. My view, however, is somewhat different.<br /><br />In the first place, the Vikings were playing the world champions on their own field. A win under these circumstances would be exceptional for any team. Secondly, the lost in a sand lot free for all that could have gone either way. The fourth quarter was one of the most exciting quarters of football I've seen in more decades of football watching than I care to admit.<br /><br />But most importantly, I think the Vikings have a solid team in every phase of the game.<br /><br />Most important is their new quarterback, veteran of a couple of retirements, Brett Favre. Now, there are a couple of side issues here that I think important. I get tired of superstars "retiring" and then "coming out of retirement." Even for superstars like Michael Jordan and Favre, take heed of Emily Post's advice: "having risen to leave, LEAVE." But when Brett announced he was considering "coming out of retirement," my least favorite sports commentator said "what a shock." Only time I've agreed with Mr. Halstrom.<br /><br />But Favre is different. He still plays the game with all the energy of a sand lot player. Remember the downfield block he made earlier in the season? the national announcers said that he would be talked to by the Vikings staff and not do it again. They were wrong on at least one count. So Favre is still having fun out there, and plays the game with a vim and vigor seldom seen in the NFL. In fact, I've known NFL players and have been very close to the playing field in the early days of the Vikings(remember that the left field fence was the back of one of the endzones in the old Met? I used to sit in the first row behind that fence). If these players were having fun, you could have fooled me. Professional football is brutal, hard, battering, bruising and stressful. Most player's careers are just a few years They just can't take anymore. Stand by the tunnel when a team takes the field and see if you think these people are about to have fun. But Favre seems to do it. That makes him almost unique, out of retirement.<br /><br />Moving on, Adrian Peterson is obviously a superstar. I don't think the Vikings have ever had a running back of his caliber.<br /><br />One thing that has always concerned me about the Vikings is their line play, both offense and defense. Even in the days of the Purple People Eaters, their defensive line was so ferocious that they actually won ballgames by themselves. But there was an easy way to beat them that apparently nobody except Hank Stram, the dapper coach of the Kansas City Chiefs, saw. Simple. Don't throw passes. The year the Vikings made it to their first super bowl(against the Chiefs), I watched a televised game between Kansas City and someone else in which the Chiefs won and did not throw a single pass. I thought to myself at the time, "that's how to beat the Vikings." Sure enough, it came to pass.<br /><br />From that point on, the Vikings pass rush began to detereorate until in the 90's it was non-existent. For a couple of decades it was poor, and I ceased being a Viking fan, because the defensive philosophy was one that couldn't work. That is, rush the passer on every play regardless. The Williams boys have plugged this gap in the vikings defense.<br /><br />From the start, the Vikings offensive line has been spotty. There is, I think, a maxim: give an NFL quarterback enough time and he will complete a pass to somebody, probably in an inconvenient place on the filed for the defense. Thus the anemic Vikings pass rush of the past and their inability to protect the quarterback is a double loser. But now they're able to protect Favre while limiting the opponents quarterback's time, so I think they're solid on both sides of the ball.<br /><br /> There have been some injuries, particularly in the defensive secondary, but that happens to everybody.<br /><br /> So take heart, Vikings fans: you might have a good second half of the season ahead of you. </div>Find Fargo Real Estate or FM Realtorshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11414941094297964231noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3592880027949403820.post-33766556228557591462008-09-24T14:02:00.001-07:002008-09-24T14:03:24.320-07:00All Minnesota Sports Chat:: In Gus We Trust.Well finally a win. I didn't get to write after last week because I was quite busy but the move was made and it looks like it paid off. This is exactly what the doctor ordered, serve me up one Gus Frerotte to get this season rolling again. I know I know you are all going to say,"Cyrus I thought you supported TJack, you thought we should be more patient." After the Colts game my mind really changed. It seems as if TJack lost a little bit after his injury this preseason. I was willing to give him the benefit of the doubt after the Green Bay game but the Colts game I saw some things that were quite troubling to me.<br /> 1st off in the Colts game it seemed as if he was rattled just by the booing. As an NFL quarterback you have to have more of a spine than that, which is something I am now questioning with TJack. He may have a future but his future isn't now. So thus the decision to put in the GusMan. I think it may have been a way to save Chilly's job as well. It looks as if this decision may pay off. Now defenses have to honor the pass more which will open up lanes for AP and Chester Taylor.<br /> At first a fan would think that this was a call from Zygi but after more research it has been found that Bevell and qb Coach Kevin Rogers saw things that deemed this move to be necessary. I wouldn't doubt if some veterans in search of a 1st championship may have a say or two about it as well. By the looks of the way the defense played I think it injected some life into them as well. Let's hope that things continue to improve. We shall have what could be our mirror image of a test coming up next in the Tennessee Titans. I believe our strength maybe a little better than ours but our lone disadvantage is the fact that I could see us getting slightly outcoached in this game. I pick the Titans in a close one 16-13.<br /> Finally each week from here on out I will pick the offensive and defensive players of the game. For week 1 I will say offensive would be Adrian Peterson with our defensive MVP being Greenway for he made some plays in the backfield and was all over the field.Week 2 I would have to say our offensive player of the game would once again be Adrian Peterson and defensive player of the game would be Pat Williams for his stonewalling of Addai(I still don't think that it was a td). Week 3 I will say the offensive player of the game would be Gus Frerotte for sparking the whole team and I will have to pick co-mvp's for defense. Antoine Winfield and EJ Henderson are the most deserving of this award. Man was that a great trifecta of a play by Winfield and Henderson looked like a man possessed out there. This is going to be one heck of a defense barring any serious injuries to key players.Find Fargo Real Estate or FM Realtorshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11414941094297964231noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3592880027949403820.post-89263205126159671002008-09-09T15:41:00.000-07:002008-09-09T15:43:11.153-07:00All Minnesota Sports Chat From Fargo: Game 1 Loss to Green Bay Packers<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Md07lhaXdZc/SMb76BibKqI/AAAAAAAAECc/UrdWEubuUq0/s1600-h/All_minnesota_sports_chat+copy.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Md07lhaXdZc/SMb76BibKqI/AAAAAAAAECc/UrdWEubuUq0/s400/All_minnesota_sports_chat+copy.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5244155790383327906" border="0" /></a><br />Well it was a tough 1st loss for our beloved Minnesota Vikings in Lambeauas the Vikes were beaten in a squeeker 24-19. After sifting through the Viking Update Blog and listening to KFAN's fan line I am quite disturbed. I know that we lost and losing to the Pack is always tough but was I watching a different game than everyone else.<br />First off everyone is being way too critical of Tarvaris Jackson. After having a rusty start to the game he really seemed to settle down after half and got us back into the game after the punt return by Blackmon. He could've easily mailed it in but he didn't. He showed me something that alot of our fan base doesn't have and that is heart. He may not always use his head the best and he may not always be the most accurate but at least he plays hard and with heart. Qualities I have seen in quarterbacks of the past such as Doug Williams and Steve McNair. I know I hate to compare him to fellow african-american qb's but he is very comparable to these two in the fact that he came from a small division 1AA school as each of these did. Now both of these qb's played in super bowls and Williams won in the only one he played in. So this gives me alot of hope in Tarvaris Jackson. I have seen alot of improvement from his game from the 1st time I saw him until tonight. Believe me we have to be patient with him and the win now attitude will be tough to overcome but it will payout in the longrun.<br />Also there seems to be alot of criticism on how we didn't get any pressure on Aaron Rodgers, well as far as I could tell he had to run around in the pocket alot. Rmember this isn't Brett Favre we are chasing this is Rodgers who is a much more athletic quarterback than Favre was. Sure he may not throw the daggers that Favre did but this guy can mover around in the pocket quite well and will scrambe for yards when needed.<br />Finally the main reason we lost this game to me was ST's and a couple of questionable coaching moves. Now I really hate to be the type that blames coaching for I have been a big Chilly supporter but I was wondering about a couple of things he did during the game. First why before halftime did he not call a timeout with 23 seconds left when the Packers had the ball on 4th down. Now after we blocked the fg we could've ran a couple of plays and who knows maybe we get a field goal which could have changed things in a big way later in the game. Second of all what was Bevell thinking when we ran shotgun formation in the beginning of the 4th quarter when it was 3rd &amp; 1. That call made no sense to me whatsoever. By going into shotgun the offense really limits itself in what it can do. That was a very questionable playcall to me and I felt that was truly the turning point in the game. Not the Jennings catch and not even the punt return by Blackmon but when they ran that shotgun formation on 3 &amp; 1 I was absolutely irrate at Bevell just ask my wife and dogs. But oh well such is the life of an armchair qb, I guess that is why I am just a fan and not a coach.<br />I will say I enjoyed the game alot and have alot of hope for this team. As I always say it is better to lose the 1st game than it is to lose the last one. Skol Vikings and lets go get them Colts and make em 0-2.Find Fargo Real Estate or FM Realtorshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11414941094297964231noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3592880027949403820.post-84452793519323362202008-08-18T21:21:00.000-07:002008-08-18T21:23:18.147-07:00All Minnesota Sports From Fargo: I am as pumped as ever to kick this season off.Well the new NFL year is on its way and I am as pumped as ever to kick this season off. Our beloved Vikings were in and out of the Favre sweepstakes and now it is time to get things started.<br /> So far after 2 preseason games things are going well with the offense. TJack has been showing signs of maturity as he looks as though he may be starting to get it. Some other youngsters that have impressed are Erin Henderson, little brother of EJ. He looks and plays the part quite well I have a good feeling that he will make us all forget Heath Farwell. I have also liked the looks of Martin Nance and Aundrae Allison. Allison is my favorite to really step up his game as well as Sidney Rice.<br /> Jared Allen has been quite impressive as well. He looks like an OLB running around out there. I knew he was talented but man he can really fly around the field. Also old Gus Frerotte is showing that he will be a much more capable backup than Holcomb &amp; Bollinger. As for JD Booty I think he has better days ahead of him as he is experiencing some growing pains.<br /> I have got some predictions as well going into the new year. Barring injury I think our Division winners will be the NFC South-New Orleans Saints, NFC-North-Minnesota Vikings,NFC East-Philadelphia Eagles, NFC West-St. Louis Rams, AFC South-Jax Jags,AFC North-Pittsburgh Steelers, AFC West-San Diego Chargers, AFC East-New England Patriots. My Conference champions being the Saints beating the Vikes and the Steelers beating the Pats. My Super Bowl champs are going to be from the Bayou-the New Orleans Saints. I know I am going way out on a limb there but after a disappointing season last year I believe the Saints are going to bounce back in a big way. Look out NEW ORLEANS!!! Lets hope this is another fun season and happy blogging to you all.Find Fargo Real Estate or FM Realtorshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11414941094297964231noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3592880027949403820.post-46651168541462218822008-06-09T23:49:00.000-07:002008-06-09T23:50:33.283-07:00All Fargo Sports Chat<table border="0" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="2" width="100%"><tbody><tr><td width="88%"><a href="http://www.vikings.com/" target="_blank">Minnesota Vikings Football</a></td> </tr> <tr> <td align="center"><img src="http://www.kfgo.com/_elements/images/logos/twins.gif" alt="twins" border="0" height="40" width="50" /></td> <td><a href="http://minnesota.twins.mlb.com/index.jsp?c_id=min" target="_blank">Minnestoa Twins Baseball</a> </td> </tr> <tr> <td align="center"><img src="http://www.kfgo.com/_elements/images/logos/T-wolves-logo.gif" alt="timberwolves" border="0" height="40" width="50" /></td> <td><a href="http://www.nba.com/timberwolves/" target="_blank">Minnesota Timberwolves Basketball </a></td> </tr> <tr> <td align="center"><img src="http://www.kfgo.com/_elements/images/logos/wild-logo.gif" alt="wild" border="0" height="40" width="50" /></td> <td><a href="http://wild.nhl.com/" target="_blank">Minnesota Wild Hockey </a></td> </tr> <tr> <td align="center"><img src="http://www.kfgo.com/_elements/images/logos/red-halks-logo.gif" alt="redhawks" border="0" height="40" width="50" /></td> <td><a href="http://www.fmredhawks.com/" target="_blank">Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks Baseball </a></td> </tr> <tr> <td align="center"><img src="http://www.kfgo.com/_elements/images/logos/ndsu-logo.gif" alt="bison" border="0" height="40" width="50" /></td> <td><a href="http://www.gobison.com/" target="_blank">North Dakota State University Athletics </a></td> </tr> <tr> <td align="center"><img src="http://www.kfgo.com/_elements/images/logos/MSUM-dragon.gif" alt="msum dragon" border="0" height="40" width="50" /></td> <td><a href="http://www.mnstate.edu/athletic/" target="_blank">Minnesota State University Moorhead Athletics </a></td> </tr> <tr> <td align="center"><img src="http://www.kfgo.com/_elements/images/logos/cobbers-logo.gif" alt="cobbers" border="0" height="40" width="50" /></td> <td><a href="http://www.gocobbers.com/" target="_blank">Concordia College Athletics </a></td> </tr> <tr> <td align="center"><img src="http://www.kfgo.com/_elements/images/logos/gophers-logo.gif" alt="gophers" border="0" height="40" width="50" /></td> <td><a href="http://www.gophersports.com/" target="_blank">University of Minnesota Athletics </a></td> </tr> <tr> <td align="center"><img src="http://www.kfgo.com/_elements/images/logos/und-sioux-logo.gif" alt="und sioux" border="0" height="40" width="50" /></td> <td><a href="http://www.fightingsioux.com/" target="_blank">University of North Dakota Athletics </a></td> </tr> <tr> <td align="center"><img src="http://www.kfgo.com/_elements/images/logos/fargo-south-logo.gif" alt="fargo south" border="0" height="40" width="50" /></td> <td><a href="http://www.fargo.k12.nd.us/education/components/docmgr/default.php?sectiondetailid=1719&amp;sc_id=1186699232" target="_blank">Fargo South High School Athletics </a></td> </tr> <tr> <td align="center"><img src="http://www.kfgo.com/_elements/images/logos/west-fargo-logo.gif" alt="west fargo athletics" border="0" height="40" width="50" /></td> <td><a href="http://www.west-fargo.k12.nd.us/schools/high/activities/" target="_blank">West Fargo High School Athletics </a></td> </tr> <tr> <td align="center"><img src="http://www.kfgo.com/_elements/images/logos/moorhead-spuds.gif" alt="moorhead spuds" border="0" height="40" width="50" /></td> <td><a href="http://www.moorhead.k12.mn.us/schools/mhs/athletics/" target="_blank">Moorhead High School Athletics</a> </td> </tr> <tr> <td align="center"><img src="http://www.kfgo.com/_elements/images/logos/shanley-logo.gif" alt="fargo shanley" border="0" height="40" width="50" /></td> <td><a href="http://www.fcsn.k12.nd.us/athletics/index.htm" target="_blank">Fargo Shanley High School Athletics </a></td> </tr> <tr> <td align="center"><img src="http://www.kfgo.com/_elements/images/logos/fargodome.jpg" alt="fargodome" border="0" height="38" width="50" /></td> <td><a href="http://www.fargodome.com/EventCalendar.cfm" target="_blank">Fargodome Event Calendar </a></td> </tr> <tr> <td align="center"><img src="http://www.kfgo.com/_elements/images/logos/first_marcus.jpg" alt="marcus theatres" border="0" height="37" width="50" /></td> <td><a href="http://www.marcustheatres.com/theater.cfm?theater_id=2512" target="_blank">Marcus Theatr</a></td></tr></tbody></table>Find Fargo Real Estate or FM Realtorshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11414941094297964231noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3592880027949403820.post-6806476402784175642008-04-02T23:39:00.000-07:002008-08-18T21:33:11.104-07:00Fargo Hot Talk: Why do I read this crap? Enough about McNegative now lets talk about what we really care about.<span class="swb">Why is it for every ounce of positivity there is a pound of negativity. Why is this? Why do naysayers like Mike McFeely have no clue what it is like to be somewhat optimistic? I swear to the great man above that McFeely wallows in a big mudpit of pessimism. He not only likes negativity he thrives in it. But yet optimists like myself continue to read his column throw down the newspaper and state to myself "Why do I read this crap?" Yet the next day I get the newspaper and I decide to read is pessimistic column again. I have met McFeely before as a bartender at a local pub. I will say this he is just as much of a jerk as he comes off to be in the newspaper. He also played on a city league basketball team that a team I played for played against. Guess what? He once again acted like a jerk. He acted like those he rips on in the newspaper. Not only is he a pessimistic but he is a jerk and a hypocrite. Why did I write this you may ask. Well in today's forum (April 2nd, 2008), he writes how after a Twin 9-1 loss the Twins are back to reality. So after two games one in which we won, he now justifies his predictions and says that they will lose 86 games. I wish predicting baseball was that easy. There are 160 more games to play in which injuries do tend to be a large factor. Sure we lost 9-1 but it was to an Angel team that usually gives us fits. There will be days like this that is for sure and to figure that now the rest of the year is tanked is ludicrous. </span><span class="swb"> </span><div><span class="swb"> Enough about McNegative now lets talk about what we really care about, Twins Baseball. Well it was a tough night for the Twins in all aspects hitting, pitching and fielding. I doubt this is a foreshadowing of things to come but with the youth of this team there will be games like this. It all started early when Boof was giving up doubles of the baggy like there was no tomorrow. He was keeping it up more than Peter North in a porn video. Sometimes I really have my doubts about Boof. He has the stuff to be a great strikeout pitcher but he always seems to leave too many pitches right in the batters wheelhouse. I do think that if Baker didn't have the flu that he would be the #2 starter. I really am hoping that Blackburn shows his stuff today and the next start so that when the Twins do call up Liriano that maybe just maybe they will think about either trading Boof or putting him in the pen where I think he would be bette suited. </span></div><span class="swb"> </span><div><span class="swb"> Also what is up with Justin Morneau. Ever since the all star break after he competed in the Home Run Derby he seems to have caught a case of the Bobby Abreu's. Abreu didn't snap out of that Derby slump of 2006 until the 2nd half of '07. I hope this isn't what is going on with Morneau because the Twins can't afford him to have another half season like the 2nd half last year. I think once Cuddyer and Mauer get rolling that this Twins team could really have one heck of a lineup. Delmon Young and Gomez have already showed me what they can do I just hope the M&amp;M's and Cuddy will as will. Go Twins!<br /><br /><a href="http://oreginaldesigns.com/">Fargo Web Design Company<br />Seo Specialist</a><br /></span></div>Find Fargo Real Estate or FM Realtorshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11414941094297964231noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3592880027949403820.post-70111979489469572922008-02-07T07:26:00.001-08:002008-08-18T21:33:38.298-07:00Fargo Hot Talk: Twins have lost another player to a big market.Well our Minnesota Twins have lost another player to a big market. First it was Hunter to the Anaheim Angels and now we traded away our best pitcher in possibly the history of the Minnesota Twins to the Mets. It is sad to lose him. But this isn't what discourages me the most. We didn't get much for frontline talent. In that I mean we didn't get a player that we could insert into the lineup instantly without worrying if this player will produce or not. I still think we should have been able to get Fernando Martinez in this deal rather than Gomez. Martinez is supposed <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://oreginaldesigns.com/"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Md07lhaXdZc/R-q7UNeU-pI/AAAAAAAADbQ/_qDquaOiiuQ/s400/fargo+lenders.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5182160277131819666" border="0" /></a>to be there no. 1 rated prospect. Instead we got the 2nd and 3rd rated minor leaguers plus a couple of pitchers Humber and Mulvey that will end up being 3rd or 4th starters. Now don't get me wrong Gomez is a great defensive player and has a lot of speed but he needs some refinement in the batting department. Guerra the other main cog in this deal has got about 2 or 3 more years before we even get to see him. He is going to be 19 in April and has got considerable upside. Now don't get me wrong he could be a complete stud but he could also be a bust. Now for Mulvey and Humber, these are two guys that could possibly contribute sooner than Guerra. The thing that scares me about Humber is he is still working his way back from Tommy John surgery and if he can be anything like he was before he could become a great pitcher. He was a 3rd overall pick in 2004 so there is definitely some talent there.<br />Now remember there has been alot of critics of this trade but also remember back in '88 when the Twins traded Viola there was alot of criticism. But look what they got out of that deal. Kevin Tapani &amp; Rick Aguilera who were two major cogs in winning the World Series in '91. I know people loved Johan but would you rather get nothing for him and lose him to free agency. Now there will people out there who say well we had better offers from Boston and New York. But do we really know that the Red Sox and Yankees wanted to actually sell us what the rumors were saying they were. They were all rumored trades and we really don't know if anything is etched in stone. I hope we did the right thing but we won't know if this trade pans out for a couple of more years. There are opinions that we took the 4th best offer and if that is true than I am not very happy about the trade but do we really know that this was the 4th best offer. Who knows what if Johan blows his arm out this year then this trade will look like a steal.<br />I will say this they made two other great deals last week that we have all suddenly forgot about. First the trade to the Devil Rays for Delmon Young, Brendan Harris &amp; Jason Pridie. Sure we lost Bartlett and Garza but I think we improved by getting Young who is going to be a stud and Harris who is a very solid and consistent player. Also the pick up of Lamb and Everett aren't bad moves either these are two solid players. Everett is an excellent defensive player and Lamb is a solid left handed hitting 3rd baseman who can relieve Morneau some at first base as well. Finally the signing of Morneau and Cuddyer to extensions are great. Now we have got Mauer, Morneau &amp; Cuddyer along with Delmon Young for 3 to 4 years to come so we definitely have a strong corps of young talent to build around. Lets not forget Liriano is back and it sounds like he feels 100% again which really excites me. It should be an interesting season with all of these new faces.<br /><br /><span class="swb"><a href="http://oreginaldesigns.com/">Fargo Web Design Company<br />Seo Specialist</a></span>Find Fargo Real Estate or FM Realtorshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11414941094297964231noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3592880027949403820.post-78811903209928085652008-01-30T12:50:00.000-08:002008-08-18T21:34:11.394-07:00Hot Talk Minnesota Sports: Twins Lost another player to a big market.Well our Minnesota Twins have lost another player to a big market. First it was Hunter to the Anaheim Angels and now we traded away our best pitcher in possibly the history of the Minnesota Twins to the Mets. It is sad to lose him. But this isn't what discourages me the most. We didn't get much for frontline talent. In that I mean we didn't get a player that we could insert into the lineup instantly without worrying if this player will produce or not. I still think we should have been able to get Fernando Martinez in this deal rather than Gomez. Martinez is supposed to be there no. 1 rated prospect. Instead we got the 2nd and 3rd rated minor leaguers plus a couple of pitchers Humber and Mulvey that will end up being 3rd or 4th starters. Now don't get me wrong Gomez is a great defensive player and has a lot of speed but he needs some refinement in the batting department. Guerra the other main cog in this deal has got about 2 or 3 more years before we even get to see him. He is going to be 19 in April and has got considerable upside. Now don't get me wrong he could be a complete stud but he could also be a bust. Now for Mulvey and Humber, these are two guys that could possibly contribute sooner than Guerra. The thing that scares me about Humber is he is still working his way back from Tommy John surgery and if he can be anything like he was before he could become a great pitcher. He was a 3rd overall pick in 2004 so there is definitely some talent there.<br /> Now remember there has been alot of critics of this trade but also remember back in '88 when the Twins traded Viola there was alot of criticism. But look what they got out of that deal. Kevin Tapani &amp; Rick Aguilera who were two major cogs in winning the World Series in '91. I know people loved Johan but would you rather get nothing for him and lose him to free agency. Now there will people out there who say well we had better offers from Boston and New York. But do we really know that the Red Sox and Yankees wanted to actually sell us what the rumors were saying they were. They were all rumored trades and we really don't know if anything is etched in stone. I hope we did the right thing but we won't know if this trade pans out for a couple of more years. There are opinions that we took the 4th best offer and if that is true than I am not very happy about the trade but do we really know that this was the 4th best offer. Who knows what if Johan blows his arm out this year then this trade will look like a steal.<br /> I will say this they made two other great deals last week that we have all suddenly forgot about. First the trade to the Devil Rays for Delmon Young, Brendan Harris &amp; Jason Pridie. Sure we lost Bartlett and Garza but I think we improved by getting Young who is going to be a stud and Harris who is a very solid and consistent player. Also the pick up of Lamb and Everett aren't bad moves either these are two solid players. Everett is an excellent defensive player and Lamb is a solid left handed hitting 3rd baseman who can relieve Morneau some at first base as well. Finally the signing of Morneau and Cuddyer to extensions are great. Now we have got Mauer, Morneau &amp; Cuddyer along with Delmon Young for 3 to 4 years to come so we definitely have a strong corps of young talent to build around. Lets not forget Liriano is back and it sounds like he feels 100% again which really excites me. It should be an interesting season with all of these new faces.<br /><br /><span class="swb"><a href="http://oreginaldesigns.com/">Fargo Web Design Company<br />Seo Specialist</a></span>Find Fargo Real Estate or FM Realtorshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11414941094297964231noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3592880027949403820.post-45338290563296465462007-12-26T17:31:00.001-08:002008-08-18T21:34:34.902-07:00Hot Talk Minnesota Vikings: Stunning turnaround leaves 'Skins in control of playoff fate.<p><a href="http://oreginaldesigns.com/"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5148073160842860354" style="margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; float: left;" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Md07lhaXdZc/R3GhQ53C10I/AAAAAAAACzI/vcjBH7vrOos/s400/hot+talk+fargo+sports.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /></p><div>Well it was a tough loss against the Skins. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">TJack</span> had some more growing pains but what do you expect most guys in there first full season do. I know there will be people calling for <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Childress</span> head but guess what guys he is going to be our coach next year as well. We cannot give up though. There is still one more week and we are still in the playoff hunt. With the exception of a couple of years ( I have been a die hard since 1980), it seems like this is something I say every year. I will be at the Denver game so hopefully they pull one out of there you know what and hopefully (gulp) Dallas wins. I say gulp because I have never rooted for the Cowboys in my entire life until next week. It will be OK thought since Brad will probably be starting for them next week.<br /><br />Back to the game. It was a tough loss not because I thought we would win but because <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">TJack</span> got us into a hole right away. Now this is going to happen when you have a young QB but we knew this was going to be a roller coaster season with him going in anyway.I still like what I saw in the 2<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">nd</span> half. They didn't lay down and showed me that they have heart. I am a little confused about AP not playing much in the 2<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">nd</span> half but my guess is that he isn't pass protecting very well and that the running game was useless to us at that point anyway. Hopefully it isn't too discouraging for AP because he looked kind of ticked on the sideline. The play that ticked me off the most was the first pick not necessarily because we threw it but because of who picked it off. Fred <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Smoot</span> the second I saw him pick it I had really bad feelings about this game it was like a very bad omen. Also I have to give Kudos to Joe Gibbs for that challenge. That was the final nail in the coffin. You could just see the dome deflate after that challenge. That is another topic as well. They need to totally get rid of the instant replay. Because the play before it looked too me like Moss's feet were not in and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">Childress</span> didn't even get a chance to look at the replay. They need to get rid of it if there is going to be crap like this going on.<br /><br />So really we shouldn't be disappointed and we should be happy with how this season panned out as a whole. Going into this season I expected to be 8-8 or 9-7 with a possible surprise playoff run and that is exactly how it is turning out. Last year I said we would be around 7-9 or 8-8 and I wasn't far off either. Now we aren't out of it yet but I want to talk about next year already. I think with a couple of big free agents next year this team could be one of the best teams in the conference. I truly believe that Jackson will be a much better <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">qb</span> next year but we need a safety net as a backup. NO not Brooks or Holcomb either, I am thinking someone like Chad Pennington, a smart <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">qb</span> who doesn't lose games by making mistakes. Someone whom <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">Tarvaris</span> can learn from. Then I think <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">Childress</span> should suck it up and call Shaun Hill back as our third string <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">qb</span>. This guy has actually looked pretty good the last 3 weeks and actually deserves to be a backup somewhere. He looks like a good fit for a west coast type of offense. Hope everyone his having a merry <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">xmas</span> and see you in Denver where I hope to be <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13">bloggin</span> to you from there as well. Happy holidays. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_14">Skol</span> Vikings!!!<br /><br /><span class="swb"><a href="http://oreginaldesigns.com/">Fargo Web Design Company<br />Seo Specialist</a></span><br /></div>Find Fargo Real Estate or FM Realtorshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11414941094297964231noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3592880027949403820.post-55015477619518177132007-12-18T23:11:00.000-08:002008-08-18T21:35:05.185-07:00Hot Talk Fargo Moorhead: Monday Night Madness in Viking Country.Well once again we had a very close and competitive game against the Bears. This was a very closely fought <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://oreginaldesigns.com/"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 227px; height: 87px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Md07lhaXdZc/R2i1TZ3C0gI/AAAAAAAAClQ/EzEAle2GjqQ/s400/hot+talk+vikings.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5145561919234691586" border="0" /></a>battle and we all had to have known it was going to be this way. Every time we play these guys it is a nail biter and last night was no different. We won in somewhat ugly fashion but these are the dog days of december and it is meat grinding time. I give Kudos to Childress for turning this season around. I know all you naysayers out there will reply but that Plate of Crow is looking like it is almost ready to serve. All that I can say is go Philly and Buffalo. Do you realize that we can very possibly be a 5 seed in this conference?<br /><br />Here is a shot out to Jim Souhan of the Star Trib. and all of you negative nellies out there. Why is it that there is always a few fans of the purple out there that always have got to rain on the purple parade. Souhan writes that TJack has still got a lot to learn and that he pretty much played terrible last night. If he truly played terribly than why did we win. Why did we have 375 yards of total offense. I know he threw 3 picks and had 1 fumble. But the first pick and fumble were clearly not his fault. So in reality 2 of the to's were his fault. But isn't the good supposed to outweigh the bad. I saw alot more good throws than bad throws. What about the strike to Kleinsasser in the seam. What about finding Boddy Wade multiple times when we needed a first down. How about that throw on 3rd and 10 to Fergie that nearly ended up a 70 yard plus td which would have set a Vikings Record. He only completed 64 % of his passes and threw for a career high 245 yards. Sure he didn't play the perfect game but he played far from terrible. It is so funny how our fans have such good memories when it comes to mistakes but they never remember the good plays. We all knew going in to this season that TJack would have his ups and downs. Then I was on the Viking Update Purple Thoughts thread and someone actually thought that his leg cramps were an act and that cramps shouldn't keep you out of the game. BS. Have any of you had leg cramps while playing football. It is absolutely impossible to play on because it hurts so damn bad. They though he was faking the injury because it was getting too tough. Bullpucky, this guy is tougher than we give him credit for. Did you see him get blasted by the Bears defender when he threw his 2nd pick. He came back from that. I was just waiting for a phonecall from my stubborn brother-in-law saying "see I told you he was injury prone." Remember being injury prone is more about luck than is about that individual. TJack is one tough cookie regardless what some of you there think.<br /><br />So now come the Redskins another game that will be very hard fought. The Redskins are still alive in the playoff hunt so this could be a very tough game. Then on to Denver where I am the most concerned but we shall jump that hurdle when it nears. Skol Vikings!!!!<br /><br /><span class="swb"><a href="http://oreginaldesigns.com/">Fargo Web Design Company<br />Seo Specialist</a></span>Find Fargo Real Estate or FM Realtorshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11414941094297964231noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3592880027949403820.post-89329205995803231422007-12-18T23:10:00.000-08:002008-08-18T21:35:32.843-07:00Hot Talk Fargo Moorhead: Week 15 In Minnesota Sports<h3 class="post-title entry-title"> <a href="http://mn-vikingstalk.blogspot.com/2007/12/vikings-greenway-is-tearing-it-up.html">Viking Hot Talk: WEEK 15</a> </h3> <p><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://oreginaldesigns.com/"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 163px; height: 229px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Md07lhaXdZc/R2X_TZ3C0LI/AAAAAAAACio/WXZgLxRMfSc/s400/viking_coach3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5144798858165014706" border="0" /></a><br />WEEK 15<br /><br />Well it is week 15 in the NFL already with two games finished. Man what a disappointment the Cincinnati Bengals have become. With there loss to the 49ers last night they are now in the running for a top 10 pick. I am guessing they will be picking some defensive help. How about that thursday night game. Who would you take with your first pick now Mario or Reggie, I am thinking Mario is a very good pickup for the Texans. Him alongside Okoye is going to make for a very dominant d-line for years to come.<br /><br />There are some other interesting matchups coming up as well. Buffalo at Cleveland really intrigues me as well. Both teams seem to be on the up and up and they are both are vying for a wild card spot. Who knows if the Steelers lose to the Jags maybe Cleveland could even make a run at the division title. I remember reading a Pro Football Weekly at the Denver Intn'l Airport and laughing at a columnist who picked the Browns to win the division. Boy who is laughing now. This Browns team is looking better and better each week. Derek Anderson looks like he could be the next great find behind Tony Romo &amp; Tom Brady. When was the last time an Arizona vs. New Orleans game had any significance to the playoff picture.<br /><br />Then there is the big Monday Night game for our beloved Vikings. Hopefully Thursday nights incident with Dwight Smith is more of a wakeup call than another stupid act that will bring the team down. Why is it that right when you think things are getting better some idiot has to pull an idiotic stunt like this. I am not as mad at the fact that he smoked the reef, I am more ticked at the timing of it. I really wonder what the heck Fat Pat was doing with him. Sometimes they say guilty by association but I am an optiimist and hope that he was there trying to straighten out a tough situation. Nevertheless the often troubled Dwight Smith is going to actually play Monday night. Does this mean Childress has softened? No it means we have no other safeties at this time. If Doss or Tank were healthy they would be sitting him down but since they are both banged up they have no choice but to hope any charges up against him or hearings about it are pushed back until the season is over.<br /><br />Where are all you Childress bashers now. Why is it when things are going bad in Minnesota the coach gets all the blame. " Fire that SOB right now". I would hear and read on blogs. But now you hear silence. Maybe a few changing tune but mostly silence. Where are you know Chilly bashers. I have stuck by this guy thru thick and thin and it is starting to pay off. By no means does one 4 game winning streak make a great coach but it goes to show that patience is very important and once the players start to understand his and his assistants philosophies things will only get better and better. The other who needs to be given more credit and we need to also continue in being patient with him is TJack. I think he has all the tools except for experience. Once he gets a couple of seasons worth of games under his belt I believe that Daunte will be forgotten and we will be extremely happy with this guy. So for you Chilly Bashers it is time to start warming up a plate of crow because it's looking like you will probably be eating it. Skol Vikes!!!</p><p><span class="swb"><a href="http://oreginaldesigns.com/">Fargo Web Design Company<br />Seo Specialist</a></span></p>Find Fargo Real Estate or FM Realtorshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11414941094297964231noreply@blogger.com1